The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has launched an awareness campaign to inform the public on the issues that are likely to be caused people who are obese or have a chronic disease, and test for COVID-19.
The campaign aims to protect the health and safety of everyone while combating the pandemic.
Many studies and reports from around the world have showcased that individuals with obesity and chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes and cancer are more susceptible to contracting the virus and get affected by its complications.
Individuals with chronic illnesses and who are obese, should get vaccinated to increase their immunity to help better fight the virus.
Medical advice given by doctors, medications as well as safety precautions must be taken from individuals showing signs of the virus.
Dr Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary of Health Centres and Clinics Sector said, "Since the early days of the pandemic, the ministry has paid special attention to obese patients and those with chronic diseases and has accordingly assigned them special healthcare. They have been given priority in the lab and home testing to limit their contact with others in health centres and are among the priority groups in receiving the COVID-19 jabs. The severity of COVID-19 increases if the infected person is over 60. People with one or more of these chronic conditions such as asthma and lung disease, cardiovascular problems, uncontrolled diabetes, severe obesity, a weakened immune system due to diseases such as HIV or who are undergoing cancer treatment must be more careful to protect themselves against the virus."
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